No images? Click here Welcome! Whether you’re a longtime member or newcomer, we’re thankful to have you here and we value your input and action. We're delighted to launch our new quarterly newsletter. This e-newsletter will be a go-to source for network updates, member news, events, opportunities, and other valuable resources. If you'd like to contribute to our next quarterly newsletter, please submit your articles, stories, or ideas to us by hitting the button below in the ‘Have your Say’ section or by emailing tspcn@reltas.com.au We also have a new website for you to explore https://suicidepreventiontas.org.au/ Check it out and let us know what you think. We're happy to introduce our new team members (and a few familiar faces too) at RA Tas, who are dedicated to supporting the Network. Our current team consists of Ben Hirst, Beth Rad, Aaron Meldrum, and Jasmin Dunn, supported by Julia Gandy, Mel Harback (TSPCN Deputy Chair) and Michael Kelly (TSPCN Chair). Recently we had a review of our Terms of Reference for the Network. Thanks to those who joined the working group to refresh this document. A copy of the Terms of Reference will be available at our next meeting. Your feedback and input are invaluable to us. There is an opportunity for you to ‘Have your Say’ on things relating to the Network below. We're genuinely interested in your thoughts and ideas and encourage you to share your opinions, suggestions, and solutions. Suicide Prevention is everyone’s business. We hope you enjoy reading everything we've prepared for you in this newsletter, and we look forward to hearing from you soon! Happy Mental Health month! Michael The next Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network (TSPCN) meeting will be held at Launceston Head to Health from 11am-1pm on Tuesday 14 November. A light lunch will be provided. **Please note the venue change - this is due to the Head to Health team kindly offering their space. We will get to participate in a tour of Head to Health during our meeting. We are excited to have the following guest speakers sharing at the meeting:
We hope to see you there! Interested in what was discussed at the previous meeting in Hobart? You can read previous meeting minutes. We are thrilled to announce nominations for the 19th Annual Tasmanian LiFE Awards are now open! We would love for you to help us spread the word amongst your networks and consider who you could nominate (self-nominations are also warmly welcomed). Those nominated for an award will be invited to the award ceremony on Thursday, 21st March 2024, in Hobart. The deadline for nominations is approaching, closing at 11:59 pm on Monday, 8th January 2024 – you know how fast the end of the year goes! Save the date! The Suicide Prevention Forum 2024 is coming to Hobart on Friday 22 March. The theme this year is Championing Change, with a focus on advocacy. We hope to support attendees with understanding their power and opportunities to be part of the solution. This stems from feedback from the 2022 and 2023 Forum where attendees expressed they wanted more direction and information on how to actually make change. It is shaping up to be another great day and we do hope you can join us. The Men's Table recently added a 4th piece of research to their library. The Men's Table Ripple Effect looks at the impact of The Men's table on women connected to men at Tables. "We initially thought that our work was all about men, it turns out that getting men unburdening with male peers has a great benefit for everybody." said Ben Hughes, co-founder. The women interviewed said they saw a 24% increase in a healthier family relationship, a 18% increase in their own mental health and a 13% decrease in dismissive and demeaning behaviour. "We are thrilled with this piece and believe it will help the government understand the importance of funding grassroots men's groups. The impact could be huge" said Ben Hughes. The CHArts Festival began with a ‘Spring Swim’ at Godfrey’s Beach in Stanley on September 2. Over 40 people braved the cold water of Bass Strait dressed in bright pink, one of the CHArts Festival colours. Members from Stronger Together in Circular Head (STiCH) cooked up bacon and egg muffins for hungry swimmers, volunteers and many onlookers. There were many great conversations about mental health and the role of STiCH in the community. STiCH also shared important information about available support systems including our own buddy system. On September 10, world suicide prevention day STiCH worked closely with Circular Head Youth Leaders (CHYL) to facilitate an Out of the Shadows walk. Over 70 people attended the walk at which members of STiCH read an acknowledgement of Country, the opening reflection and spoke of their lived experience. Members worked hard to ensure our sculpture and reflection area looked fantastic for the evening. STiCH member, Deputy Mayor and vocal talent Annette Dawes also led a Café Choir during the CHArts Festival. 30 people learnt 2 songs and then sang it together as a choir including separate parts and harmonies. The night was full of singing, chatting and laughing and everybody agreed it was a fantastic stress relief and mood booster. To check out more on what STiCH is up to in their community check out their Facebook page: Safe Spaces Peer SupportThese peer support sessions are for the people who support or supported a family member and or friend living with mental health and or alcohol and other drug use. These sessions are a safe time and place for you to talk to, learn from, and provide and recieve support from other families and friends. These sessions are hosted by the Lived Experience Project Officer, and Social Worker.
More sessions are listed on Safe Spaces Peer Support website. On Thursday September 14th a splash of yellow made its way into workplaces, schools and communities around the state to mark R U OK?s national day of action, encouraging conversations about suicide and mental distress to help break down stigma and promote help seeking. R U OK? Community Ambassador in the state's North West Greg teamed up with the MCT North West Mates to host morning and lunchtime information stands around Ulverstone handing out R U OK? resources and yellow cookies to locals. “In a short space of time we spoke with so many who had a personal connection to suicide. One lady had lost her son and uncle, another man talked about the loss of his brother.” Essential to good communication is listening, not just hearing what is spoken aloud but also listening for what might be left unsaid. The key message from R U OK? this year is ‘Here to Hear’ which encourages us to check in on our mates, be present and really hear when someone is doing it tough. These conversations can be hard but when we make the time to truly listen it makes a difference, it shows that someone cares. International Men’s Day is coming up on November 19. It’s a day of celebration and a call to action. A chance to highlight the experiences and challenges men face. Men’s Resources Tasmania are hosting their annual breakfast get together on 17 November. Join them and be part of the conversation. Remembering those we love and have lost to suicide and those who have been affected. Join us at the annual Meander Valley river walk.
Please advise of any dietary requirements when booking. For more information, please contact Natalie 6491 1552 or admin@kentishrc.com.au Lifeline TrainingLifeline Tasmania offer a variety of public training courses around the state. Training topics include:
To check out their course calendar head to their website: Mindframe TrainingMindframe are hosting free online training sessions on Guidelines for public communication about suicide and mental ill-health. The next sessions available are on November 7 & December 5 2023. Mindframe training sessions on safe and sensitive public communication around suicide and mental ill-health include:
For more information or to sign up to the training head to their website: Self-Care and Mental Wellbeing Workshop
CORES Suicide Prevention Training
Providing an Inclusive Practice and Community for LGBTIQA+ People
Online training Providing an Inclusive Practice and Community for LGBTIQA+ People For more information or to book corporate training please call Natalie on 03 6491 1552 or email: The Life in Mind digital portal has recently been redeveloped to ensure that those who have a role in suicide prevention can easily access and apply current data, evidence, research, strategies, and safe language principles to their work. Navigation of the portal has been streamlined to highlight key areas:
We encourage you to explore the portal, as it has some great suicide prevention information and resources. Reach Out (how to ask a friend if they are ok)Asking someone ‘R U OK?’ shows them that you care about their wellbeing, and that you’re willing to listen and be there to offer your support. It’s not always easy to do this, and it’s natural to feel a little awkward about starting the convo. So, it can help to go in with a plan. Check out Reach Out’s guide for tips and strategies. FeedbackGot feedback? We love hearing from you and are always open to hearing your thoughts. Share in our upcoming newsletterWant to include something in our next newsletter or on our socials? Add your piece by hitting the 'submit item' button below and following the prompts. Newsletters are sent out quarterly. To include something in our summer edition have your information to us by 12 January 2024. The Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network acknowledges that we live and work on Aboriginal land, land of the palawa/pakana people of lutruwita (Tasmania). We pay respect to Elders past and present. We honour all those who continue caring for country, sharing stories, and upholding rights. Here for all Tasmanians |